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Program type comparison

UW Study Abroad has a number of different program types that our programs fall under. We recommend educating yourself about the different study abroad program types in order to narrow down your options. Use the matrix below to learn the key features of each program type.

While researching programs, we encourage you to consider different program components and how important each one is to your personal study abroad experience. Some things to consider are program location(s), courses available in your major, amount of on-the-ground support, level of cultural immersion, and acquiring of foreign language skills.

Exchanges

Faculty-led Programs

Rome in Residence

Partner Programs

Direct Enrollment

Internships

FRILA

Description

Enroll directly in a partner university abroad

Take UW classes abroad, taught by UW faculty

Take UW classes at the UW Rome Center

Study with third party providers who organize study abroad programs at centers or universities abroad

Enroll directly in a language program or partner university abroad

Intern globally through a third-party provider

Engage globally while maintaining UW student status and receiving international travel security coverage

Duration

Semester, Academic Year

Concurrent with UW terms: Quarter, Spring Break, Early Fall, Summer A, Summer B

Quarter

Quarter, Semester, Academic Year

Short term, Quarter

1 month, Quarter

Short-term, Quarter, Semester, Academic Year

Cost

Program fee* equivalent to your UW tuition & Study Abroad fee to be paid to UW.

*generally more cost effective for resident students

Program fee*  & Study Abroad fee to be paid to UW, cost varies by program.
*generally more cost effective for non-resident students

Program fee*  & Study Abroad fee to be paid to UW, cost varies by term.

*generally more cost effective for non-resident students

Program fee* to be paid directly to partner program; Study Abroad fee to be paid to UW, cost varies by program.

*generally more cost effective for non-resident students

Program fee* to be paid directly to partner, Study Abroad fee to be paid to UW, cost varies by program.

*generally more cost effective for non-resident students

Program fee* to be paid directly to partner provider; Study Abroad fee to be paid to UW, cost varies by program.

*generally more cost effective for non-resident students

Study Abroad fee to be paid to UW

Credits

20-25 UW credits per semester; exact credits vary by program

1-15 UW credits; exact credits vary by program

15 UW credits per quarter

12-25 UW credits; exact credits vary by program

1-15 UW credits; exact credits vary by program

6-12 UW credits; exact credits vary by term

0 credit option or for-credit option

Application Deadlines

  • January 31 – Autumn Semester & Academic Year
  • May 15 – Spring semester
  • January 31 – Summer
  • February 15 – Early Fall & Autumn
  • May 15 – Winter
  • November 1 – Spring break
  • November 15 – Spring
  • January 31 – Summer
  • February 15 – Early Fall & Autumn
  • May 15 – Winter
  • November 1 – Spring break
  • November 15 – Spring
  • April 1 – Summer
  • May 1 – Early Fall & Autumn
  • November 1 – Winter & Spring

Some partner programs have earlier deadlines. Please consult the individual program brochure for specific deadlines.

  • April 1 – Summer
  • May 1 – Early Fall & Autumn
  • November 1 – Winter & Spring

Some direct enrollment programs have earlier deadlines. Please consult the individual program brochure for specific deadlines.

  • January 31 – Summer
  • February 15 – Early Fall & Autumn
  • May 15 – Winter
  • November 1 – Spring break
  • November 15 – Spring
  • January 31 – Spring
  • April 15 – Summer
  • May 15 – Early Fall & Autumn
  • November 1 – Winter
Housing Options

Students secure their own housing, either in dorms or off-campus

Housing is included in the program fee. Students are usually housed in apartments, hotels or dorm-style rooms

Housing is included in the program fee. Students are usually housed in apartments or dorm-style rooms

Housing is typically included in the program fee. Housing could be on or off-campus

Housing options vary depending on the program

Housing is included in the program fee. Housing varies between private housing, student apartments, hostels, and homestay options

Students secure their own housing

Level of Independence

High Low/Medium Low/Medium Medium Medium/High Medium/High High
Course Options

Wide variety of course options based on partner university offerings; courses taught by partner university faculty

Pre-determined UW courses taught by UW faculty

Choose from a list of pre-determined UW courses taught by UW faculty

Variety of course options based on partner provider offerings; courses taught by partner program faculty

Variety of course options based on partner provider offerings; courses taught by partner program faculty

General study credits or students can connect with their department to receive pre-approved UW credits

Students need to connect with their department to receive pre-approved UW credits

Who Can Participate?

UW students (mainly undergraduates but some programs are for graduates). Partner university students attend UW in your place

UW undergraduates and graduates; non UW Students for some programs

UW undergraduates

UW undergraduates and students from other US schools

UW undergraduates

UW undergraduates and graduates

UW undergraduates and graduates

Financial Aid Eligibility

Certain terms and partner universities are aid-eligible, some are partially aid-eligible and some are aid-ineligible

Most terms and programs are financial aid eligible

All terms are financial aid eligible

Certain terms and partner programs are aid-eligible, some are partially aid-eligible and some are aid-ineligible

Certain terms and direct enrollment programs are aid-eligible, some are partially aid-eligible and some are aid-ineligible

Certain terms are aid-eligible, some are partially aid-eligible and some are aid-ineligible

Certain terms and programs are aid-eligible, some are partially aid-eligible and some are aid-ineligible